Shepherd University - Cohongoroota Yearbook (Shepherdstown, WV)

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,av sn: -spywif sg - if. .:1'.' . 1 . Q A 'un , FW'-i -5' M ai 1 - 5 A . Y ' :Wg . ft fyoi if 1 41 C Q ima.. 1'- Im- .. 1 Lu I C it 1 f , .i 3. r n Photography by Jim J urek 'ti' X .uv -f-,5. :L , K QMS. M ,sf T? 'ffl Y.. 3'- ... , f . - Fry ' Wg' ii W W ' . 'wb ,l 1' , lux X 4 it A K 'ix' . Ns.. s c. Q... A T V . . . n ,.,,, e H+' af s .r f, 'o a f N 1' s an - .6-ga ff, L -1 fi' 'Z jig. T: ' . ,F x g V N A. V8 , K I . 3- - M 1 , o r ,Q A uf' . . gf W ,, M Ek , P' . - TN ' ' Q ' , . p i J X- I' vow. Q l ' ,Q .fs 1 g 2 M ' ' .4 X , - Q. X, vp ,L 'Q -,- . - 'L ' ' V i' V Y I f' . 5 .' K 1 5 .4 h Q U Qi u 'A ' . A Q .al r. 0 L- .I an , .. , . ' V 1 ig Q . 5 '..,: ' X 8 Almost heaven: West Virginia . . . . John Denver first sang this line in the song Country Roads over a de- cade ago. The song's lyrics aptly de- scribed the beauty and magnificence of the blue ridge mountain state. When Denver first recorded the song, it be- came an immediate hit and has re- mained a favorite throughout the years, perhaps because it conjures up fond memories for all those who have ever visited the state. Country Roads seems to have captured the essence of what West Virginia is really like. A1- most heaven, indeed! Itls doubtful, however, that John Denver knew how apropos his lyrics would be and how close to heart some people would take the phrase, Almost heaven: West Vir- ginia. . . For now in these hills there is a group of people which has come with one thing in mind--to create a literal Heaven on Earth. And by appear- ances, it seems they have succeeded. In 1968, these followers of Krsna con- sciousness started a farming commu- nity in Moundsville, W.Va. and named it New Vrindaban. The community's spiritual leader, the late Srila Prabhupada spoke of its concept, . . .New Vrindaban is a transcenden- tal village without the botherations of the modern industrial atmosphere. In

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-'rizwupf 1 251' 'P , a vm Wil Qi A H f' ad- xl- ,,,,, '12-3. f.-,.z'g.' ' vi .-,,.,,, ta N 'Ano ' ' li' 'Q Ji 'i':.- industrial job a person with a disability was likely to get was working in a sheltered workshop or operating a vending stand. Now there are blind piano tuners, deaf nurses and kitchen workers, as well as switchboard operators with speech difficulties. The IYDP has done a lot to make these facts known to the public. For quite a long time, recreation was considered some- thing that a disabled person just couldn't do. Those people were left to sit back in the yard or out on the sidelines. In this century a lot has been done to change this. National, state and regional Special Olympics teams have been or- ganized to give the disabled person an opportunity to get involved in sports. The U.S. Association for Blind Athletes was founded in 1976. Today, competitors of all ages come together to com- pete in swimming, wrestling, downhill skiing, gymnastics, and track and field. Medals are awarded in the same man- ner as in any other national preliminary to the Olympics. Those who make the Olympics go to the International Olympics for the Blind, which was held in Canada in 1976 and in Holland in 1980. The President's Council on Physical Fitness in also aimed toward the disabled student or adult. There were several national events in 1981, such as the Wheelchair Olympics held in Richmond, Va. President and Mrs. Reagan were contributors to this event. Local sources of support are jaycee groups who sponsor events for disabled children and community centers which are adapting their facilities so disabled persons can make use of them. Many other types of activities are underway. Disabled people want to be recognized for the things they can do. All they really want is a chance. The International Year of Disabled Persons has brought this to the attention of the general public. Public awareness, however, isn't the only good thing to come of the IYDP. Training and awareness activities to promote attitudinal changes were also provided. These included the training of managers and supervisors on disability topics, teaching disabled employees their rights and educational opportunities, distributing public informa- tion on disability, and many others. Affirmative action pro- grams were also developed for the recruitment, placement and promotion of disabled persons in the federal agency work force, for the improvement of facilities and programs to provide physical and information access, for the identifica- tion and elimination of barriers to the selection and training of disabled employees, etc. This and much more was accomplished in 1981 to promote Full Participation and Equality ilYDP,s theme? for the world's disabled citizens. But this isn't a one-year thing, it's a life-time necessity. 7

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It Looks Like eaven In West irginia Copy fr. Patti C7-nt Deszgn by Mari. Lou Lvfteroio F! ? v Krsnofs' homeland of Yrindaban home- land is in India. the people can fullv depend on natures beautv and cows. and this New Yrindaban rl'lf'JLllCl be such an ideal village where the resi- dents will have simple living and high thinking. New Yrindabanis ultimate goal is selfsufficiencjr. though todajfs econorn- ics make it more practical for the resi- dents to buv what thev need rather than produce independently. Still. thev maintain a herd of 200 cows for milk only since thev are all vegetarians and grow enough vegetables to be able to sell their surplus at the local market. While the hulk of the communitvs monetary funding comes from outside sources. the inhabitants are in a posi- tion to be self sufficient ifthe economv should falter. A big plus to the communitvs mat- erial and spiritual well-being has been the construction of Srila Prabhupada? palace. lt has become the showcase for the Krsna conscious movement and a major tourist attraction. The palace was built for Srila Prabhupada. the man who was directly responsible for bringing h,7'N'7lfl consciousness to the Western World. vet who lived the humblest of lives. One of Prabhupada! devotees and a chosen disciple. Swami Bhaktipada conceived of the idea for building the palace. He explained. L'n- fortunateljf. during Prabhupada! life he never has become very prominent through the Hare Krsna movement. Of course. he planned it that wav. he was such a humble devotee. But as his dis- ciples. we should understand that for the benefit of all humanitv. Prabhupada should be as prominent as Jesus Christ. Bhaktipada believed that the palace would add a force to Prabhupadas spoken word and cause all who gazed upon its beautv to re- member Prabhupada better. The palace is an opulent structure built with gold. silver. marble. onyx. stained glass and teakxvood. The furni- ture. pillars and arches are all intri- catelv carved. There are ornate chan- deliers. and manv ofthe walls and ceii- inas are hand-painted depictions ol Krsoo in its manjv forms. The palace la a true rlLlClf-' of contrasts. It if as opu- lent and intricate in form. as the de- votees who built it are simple in their lifestvles. When asked whv these devoted Krszio followers CTIUNGJ to build sL1c'l i a magnificent building iiisteatl of using the monej: in a more charitable such a.s feeding the poor or building a hospital. Swami Bhaktipada clarified. While the palace cost Ur Siliwifili and took us six vears to build. it only cost each devotee in this communitjv Sl a week to build this palace. There are bfi manv people who spend S111 a week klllrl for cigarettes. Why don't they quit smoking and feed the poor? No one would criticize us if we spent the monej: on beer and cigarettes. But ifwe take S111 a week and spend it to create a beautiful temple for a pure devotee of the Lord-and then invite everyone to come and .see for free -then they fUl!if'- times criticize. This is called envj.'.'i Regardless ofanj: criticism that maj. arise. the palace stands matiesticalljr. as a monument to what great love and in- spiration can do. lt is a spectacle like no other. certainly none of its like can be found elsewhere in America. These devoted followers ofK11sno are sincere in their work. Thev believe in Heaven on Earthuz in fact. thev prettv rnuch li'.'e it. Thev have transcended the mundane desires. such as fame. rnonej: and glory. and seek higher :oals in life. Thev strive to perfect their psvche in order to become closer to their bod consciousness. Their -illi- stance in love and devotion. One of the devoted inhabitants ot New Yrindaban. Aravinda llasa com- ments on how West Virginia was cho- sen as the rnovements site for a Heaven on lfarthng We did not choose West Virginia. it is Kl'.s'I2fllN plan that we are here. One cant help but think that there must be something right about this l.ord Krsna. After all. of all the places in the world to choose. he chose West Virginia. Almost heaven. indeedf 9